Honey Gourami (Sunset Honey Gourami) Care Guide 101 | 2024

By: Martin McAdam
Updated: March 29, 2023

The Honey Gourami is a tropical fish found in the wild in Southeast Asia. They are an orange-red color with a long, thin bodies.

They are peaceful fish and can be kept in community tanks with other non-aggressive fish. They do well in various water conditions and are not too picky about their diet.

They make a great addition to any home aquarium and will bring a splash of color to your tank.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the Honey Gourami and discuss, including their size and growth rate, what you need to consider before adding them to your tank!

Honey Gourami: Species Summary

Scientific name:Trichogaster chuna
Common name:Honey Gourami, Sunset Honey Gourami, Red Flame, and Honey Dwarf Gourami.
Family:Osphronemidae
Habitat:They are tropical fish found in the wild in Southeast Asia.
Size:Up to 3 inches long.
Average Life Span:Up to 5-8 years.
Tank Size:A minimum of 10 gallons
pH range:6.1-7.6
Temperature range:72°-82° Fahrenheit
Water Hardness:Soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:Peaceful
Compatibility:They do well in various water conditions.
Care Level:They are easy to care for and can be maintained by beginners.
Breeding:Honey Gourami is relatively easy to breed and can be done in a community tank.
Food:Omnivore

Honey Gourami: Appearance

Honey Gourami is a beautiful orange-red color with a long, thin body. They get their name from the fact that they love to eat honey! The entire body of the fish is covered in tiny scales. The exceptions are the gill plates and the anal fin, which are both transparent.

Honey Gourami: Appearance

Their throat area is light pink, and their eyes are dark black. They have a small dorsal fin that runs the length of their back and a long, thin anal fin. They have small black spots on their fins that are difficult to see.

Females are typically slightly plumper than males, but it can be difficult to tell the two sexes apart. Males are usually a little bit more colorful than females.

These slim and sleek fish have long bodies, making them popular in aquariums.

Honey Gourami: Size & Growth Rate

Honey Gourami can grow up to 3 inches long, though most will be closer to 2 inches. They have a moderate growth rate and will reach their full size within a few months. Males and females are about the same size, so sexing them is difficult.

Honey Gourami: Lifespan

The average Honey Gourami lifespan is 5-8 years, though some have been known to live for up to 10 years. This can be impacted by the water conditions they are kept in and their diet.

This range exists because they are easy to breed and can be bred in a community tank. When breeding is done in an uncontrolled environment, the fish's health and lifespan are often compromised.

Honey Gourami: Behavior & Temperament

The Honey Gourami is a peaceful fish and will get along well with other fish in the tank. They are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six fish.

Honey Gourami Behavior & Temperament

They don’t want to start a fight. They are very active fish and will swim around the tank constantly.

They make excellent additions to any community aquarium, as they are peaceful, hardy, and attractive. They become pretty tame and will often come to the front of the aquarium to beg for food.

However, these fish can also be shy and hide when startled. These fish are primarily hardy and can tolerate various water conditions.

Honey Gourami: Breeding

The Honey Gourami is a good breeder and will lay eggs often. The eggs will usually be laid on the underside of a leaf or a floating plant.

The male Honey Gourami will help care for the eggs and guard them until they hatch. The fry will then be transferred to a rearing tank.

The Honey Gourami can be bred in a community or a separate breeding tank. If you are breeding them in a community tank, you must have a separate breeding tank for the fry.

Honey Gourami: Eggs

Honey Gourami eggs are small and round. They are light green and will hatch in about 24 hours.

When the Honey Gourami is spawning, you will notice that they will become very active. The male will start to chase the female around the tank. The female will then start to release her eggs. The male will then fertilize the eggs.

The eggs will hatch in about 24 hours, and the fry can swim independently. They will be light green and eat small invertebrates such as brine shrimp.

You can help to ensure that the eggs will hatch by adding a small amount of water from the tank to an egg incubator. This will help keep the eggs warm and help them hatch.

Honey Gourami: Food & Diet

Honey Gouramis are omnivores and will eat a variety of food items. They can be fed a diet of both live and frozen food.

Some good food items to feed Honey Gouramis are as follows:

  • Live bloodworms: These are a good source of protein and can be fed to Honey Gouramis regularly.
  • Frozen brine shrimp: This is a good source of nutrients and can be fed to Honey Gouramis regularly.
  • Frozen bloodworms: These are also a good source of protein and can be fed to Honey Gouramis regularly.
  • Frozen daphnia: This is a good source of nutrients and can be fed to Honey Gouramis regularly.
  • Pellets: You can also feed your Honey Gourami pellets. These pellets should be high in protein and size that the Honey Gourami can quickly eat.
  • Tetra Min flakes: You can also feed your Honey Gourami Tetra Min flakes. These flakes should be high in protein and size that the Honey Gourami can quickly eat.

You should always ensure that various food items are available when feeding your Honey Gourami. This will help ensure that the Honey Gourami gets the nutrients they need. You can also use a quality fish food supplement if you cannot provide a varied diet.

It would help if you also tried to feed them small amounts of food at a time. This will help keep the tank clean and reduce the risk of disease.

Honey Gourami: Diet Foods To Avoid

There are several food items that you should avoid feeding your Honey Gourami. These food items can harm the gourami and lead to health problems. Some of the food items to avoid are as follows:

  • High-fat foods: These foods can cause weight gain and can lead to other health problems.
  • Sugar: This can cause health problems in the gourami and lead to obesity.
  • Unhealthy foods: These foods can harm the gourami and cause health problems.

You should always try to provide a healthy diet for your Honey Gourami. This will help them to stay healthy and will help to prevent disease.

Honey Gourami: Care

Honey Gourami care is relatively easy and can be maintained by beginner fish keepers. They do well in various water conditions and are not too picky about their diet.

Honey Gourami Care

These fish are peaceful and can be kept in community tanks with other non-aggressive fish. You should always have a minimum of 10 gallons for a single gourami. Even though they might be small, they can still grow 3 inches long.

Honey Gourami: Tank Size

The recommended tank size for the gourami is 10 gallons. They need plenty of room to swim and grow; a minimum of 10 gallons will allow them to do so. If you want to keep more than one Honey Gourami in your tank, you will need at least 20 gallons.

Honey Gourami: Water Parameters

Regarding the water parameters, the Honey Gourami is not too picky. They prefer a pH range of 6.1 to 7.6. They can tolerate moderate hardness but do best in soft water conditions.

Water Temperature- They prefer a temperature range of 72° to 82° Fahrenheit. You must use a heater if your tank is outside of this range.

Water Changes- It is essential to perform regular water changes on your gourami tank. Weekly water changes of 30 to 50% are recommended. Establish a consistent routine of weekly water changes to keep your fish healthy and happy.

Filtration

Honey Gourami needs a sound filtration system to keep the water clean. A filter rated 10-20 gallons for a Honey Gourami tank will be adequate. It would help if you also used a weekly gravel vacuum to clean the bottom of the tank.

Some of the famous filters are:

  • Aqua Clear Power Filter 50: This filter is an excellent option for small to medium-sized tanks. It has a five-stage filtration system that helps to keep the water clean and clear. The Aqua Clear also has a noise reduction system that won't disturb your peace.
  • Marineland Penguin 200B: This filter is perfect for tanks up to 55 gallons. It has a three-stage filtration system that helps to keep the water clean and clear. The Penguin 200B is quiet so it won't disturb your peace.
  • Eheim Classic Series Canister Filters: These filters are an excellent option for tanks up to 350 gallons. They have a five-stage filtration system that helps to keep the water clean and clear. The Eheim Classic also has a noise reduction system that won't disturb your peace.
  • Aqua-Tech EZ Aquarium Filter Cartridges: these are an excellent option for small to medium-sized tanks. They have a three-stage filtration system that helps to keep the water clean and clear. The Aqua-Tech cartridges are also easy to change, so you won't have to spend much time cleaning your filter.

Heater

If the temperature of your tank falls outside of the Honey Gourami's preferred range of 72° to 82° Fahrenheit, you will need to use a heater. A good heater for a Honey Gourami tank is the Fluval E Series Heater.

Some more famous heaters are as follows:

  • Aquarium Heater 100W: This heater is an excellent option for up to 10 gallons of tanks. It has an automatic shut-off system, so you don't have to worry about your fish overheating.
  • Eheim Jager Heaters: These heaters are an excellent option for tanks up to 200 gallons. They have a safety shut-off system, so you don't have to worry about your fish overheating.

Lighting

Honey Gourami does not require a lot of light. A bare incandescent light bulb is all you need to keep them happy and healthy.

Gravel

Honey Gourami does best when they have a substrate to call their own. A good option for a Honey Gourami tank is fine gravel. You should avoid using large gravel or sharp rocks, as they can harm the delicate fins of the gourami.

Some good gravel brands are as follows:

  • Tetra Aquarium Gravel: This gravel is an excellent option for small to medium-sized tanks. It is available in various colors to create the perfect tank for your gourami.
  • Ocean Free Aquarium Gravel: This gravel is an excellent option for up to 55 gallons of tanks. It is available in various colors to create the perfect tank for your gourami.

Plants

Honey Gourami loves to swim in and around plants. A good option for a gourami tank is to use artificial plants. You should avoid using live plants, as they can be a source of algae and harmful to the gourami.

Some good artificial plant brands are as follows:

  • Aquarium Plants by Hagen: This plant is an excellent option for small to medium-sized tanks. It is available in various colors to create the perfect tank for your gourami.
  • Silk aquarium plants are an excellent option for tanks up to 55 gallons. They are available in various colors to create the perfect tank for your gourami.

Decorations

Honey Gourami loves to swim in and around decorations. A good option for a gourami tank is to use artificial decorations. You should avoid using live plants, as they can be a source of algae and harmful to the gourami.

Some good artificial decoration brands are as follows:

  • Aquarium Decorations by Hagen: This decoration is an excellent option for small to medium-sized tanks. It is available in various colors to create the perfect tank for your gourami.
  • Silk aquarium decorations are an excellent option for tanks up to 55 gallons. They are available in various colors to create the perfect tank for your gourami.

Honey Gourami: Cleaning The Tank

Honey Gourami is delicate fish and should be handled with care. You should avoid using harsh chemicals or soaps when cleaning your tank. A diluted bleach solution is a good option for cleaning your tank.

Honey Gourami Cleaning The Tank

Before cleaning your tank, remove any decorations or plants you have in it. Once you have removed all the decorations and plants, you can begin cleaning the tank.

To clean the tank, fill a bucket with water and add 1-2 tablespoons of bleach. You should avoid adding more than this, as it can harm the fish. Once the bleach is added, stir the water until it fully dissolves.

It would help if you poured the bucket of water into your tank. It would help if you scrubbed the sides of the tank with a brush until all of the algae was removed. Once you have finished scrubbing the tank, you should rinse it thoroughly with fresh water.

You can then return the decorations and plants to the tank. You should avoid adding fish until the tank has had a chance to sit and the chlorine has dissipated. You should usually wait 24 hours before adding any fish to your tank.

Honey Gourami: Common Possible Diseases

Honey Gourami is delicate fish and can be susceptible to several diseases.

Some common diseases that can affect gourami are as follows:

  • Malachite green ich: This is a type of parasitic infection that can affect both the skin and gills of the gourami.

The symptoms of this infection are as follows:

  • Their skin will become covered in small white spots.
  • Their gills will become red and swollen.
  • They will lose their appetite and become lethargic.
  • If your gourami shows any of these symptoms, you should take it to a vet for treatment.
  • Fin rot: This is a bacterial infection that can affect the fins of the gourami.

The symptoms of this infection are as follows:

  • Their fins will become red and inflamed.
  • The fins will start to decay and eventually fall off their bodies.
  • They will lose their appetite and become lethargic.
  • If your gourami shows any of these symptoms, you should take it to a vet for treatment.
  • Columnaris: This is a bacterial infection that can affect the body of the gourami.

The symptoms of this infection are as follows:

  • The body of the gourami will become covered in small white spots.
  • They will lose their appetite and become lethargic.
  • If your Honey Gourami shows any of these symptoms, you should take it to a vet for treatment.
  • This is just a tiny sample of the common diseases that can affect them.

Honey Gourami: Treatment And Medications Of Diseases

If your Honey Gourami shows any signs of a disease, you should take it to a vet for treatment. The vet will be able to determine the cause of the disease and will prescribe the appropriate medication.

Some common medications that are used to treat diseases in gourami are as follows:

  • Malachite green: This medication is used to treat parasitic infections.
  • Fin rot: This medication is used to treat bacterial infections.
  • Columnaris: This is a medication that is used to treat bacterial infections.

Maintaining a healthy tank environment is the most common way to prevent diseases in gourami. You should ensure your tank is clean and use the correct medications.

Honey Gourami: Tank Mates

The best Honey Gourami tank mates are other peaceful fish. Some good tank mates for the gourami are as follows:

  • Sparkling gouramis: These fish are peaceful and are an excellent tank addition.
  • Neon or ember tetras: These fish are small and are also peaceful. They make an excellent addition to the tank and will help brighten it.
  • Guppies: These fish also make an excellent addition to the tank.
  • Zebra Danios: These fish are peaceful and are a good size for the gourami to school with.
  • Tiny barbs: These fish are peaceful and can be added to the tank.
  • Cory Catfish: These fish will help keep the tank's bottom clean.
  • Mollies: These fish are peaceful and can be added to the tank.

When choosing tank mates for your Honey Gourami, you should always ensure they are peaceful fish. This will help ensure the gourami is safe and reduce the risk of fighting. You should also make sure that the fish is a similar size to the gourami so that they can school together.

Honey Gourami: Fish To Avoid

You should avoid adding several fish to the tank with Honey Gouramis. These fish can harm the gourami and lead to health problems.

Some of the fish to avoid are as follows:

  • Angelfish: These fish are large and can be aggressive. They should not be added to the tank with the Honey Gourami.
  • Large cichlids: These fish can be aggressive and should not be added to the tank with the gourami.
  • Other aggressive fish: These can harm the Honey Gourami and should be avoided.

You should also avoid adding any aggressive fish to the tank.

Advantages Of Having Honey Gourami In Your Tank

The first advantage of having Honey Gourami in your tank is that they are beautiful fish. They will add color and interest to the tank. They are peaceful fish and will not fight with other fish. This makes them a good choice for a community tank.

The second advantage is that they are easy to breed and will lay eggs often. This makes them a good choice for a breeder tank. They will help to keep the bottom of the tank clean. This is because they are scavengers who eat food falling to the tank's bottom.

The third advantage is that they can be sexed by looking at their anal fin. This makes it easy to determine the sex of the fish. They will eat any food that falls to the bottom of the tank. This helps to keep the tank clean.

Another advantage is that they are a good choice for a beginner fishkeeper. They are easy to care for and will not fight with other fish.

Disadvantages Of Having Honey Gourami In Your Tank

The disadvantage of having Honey Gourami in your tank is that they can be timid. This means they may not come out to eat when other fish are in the tank. They will eat any food that falls to the bottom of the tank.

Wrapping Up

So, all in all, the Honey Gourami makes a great addition to your tank. They are beautiful fish, peaceful, and easy to breed. They help keep the bottom of the tank clean and are a good choice for a beginner fish keeper.

And for all their beauty, they don't come with a hefty price tag. So, if you're looking for a fish that is sure to please, the Honey Gourami should be at the top of your list! Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer

AquaMarinePower.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their aquatic friends. However, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. For more information, please read our disclaimer.

Amazon Associates Program

AquaMarinePower.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Copyright © 2023 AMP
cross